After that announcement and the brief chilling glare she sent in my direction, Shio was instantly bombarded with questions by the gossipers in class.
Going back to her maiden name, there's no need to ask how that was possible. Most of us here were already informed about that topic.
So to start with, Yamada spearheaded the questioning about her husband.
Starting off with that, Shio's mood instantly turned bad. She then threatened the guy that she would give him an F.
Soon afterward, she mentioned that the mention of her soon-to-be ex-husband was banned which earned a lot of 'eeehhh' from the other students.
Apart from the others who thought that it's a shame, some of the boys had a sparkle in their eyes as if Shio being single again gave them a chance.
I could only sneer at them in my mind. If they found out about the whole story, it's possible that they will prostrate themselves at my feet.
Well, they will have no way of knowing about it anyway. Let them have their own fantasies that they would have no way of fulfilling.
The girls who knew my connection with Shio also have varying reactions. Nami fell into deep thought. She's probably thinking the underlying reasons other than I got Shio as my woman.
For sure, she would remember that day where I couldn't tell them what I did. And being the observer girl that she is, she would be able to connect the dots.
As for Aya and Satsuki's reaction, the former just nodded as if she knew it would come sooner or later while the latter rolled her eyes at me.
After a few more questions which Shio entertained as they were something that would not intrude in her private life, she started the class.
When the first period ended, I naturally followed her to her next class.
Using the fact that I was late as an excuse for my punishment rather than the way I teased her, Shio made me her assistant who would carry her things.
Her next class will be Class 2. It's just a neighboring class. There should be a few minutes of interval before the next period.
That's why while carrying her things, I followed behind her as we went out of the School Building and into the outdoor lounge shaded by a tree in between the School and Administration Building to pass that time.
Since we're out in public view, I put myself a few paces away from her as we talked about the things between us.
She told me that the Administration has already accepted her request but to finalize it, she has to pass the divorce certification.
And after that official talk, the Principal talked to her about what led to that early divorce with that Nobuo. Shio answered vaguely that she would be able to hear about it soon or rather from the Administration of the school where he was sent.
At this time, Nao has already messaged me about her trip to meet the Principal along with the Guidance Counselor. Showing them the evidence she gathered against that guy.
She would update me about it later but honestly, I'm quite worried with every second that passed.
"She will be fine. Your girls are all stronger than you know. Otherwise, they will not stay with you." Shio, who probably saw me being restless, tried to reassure me.
"I hope so. Have you already talked to that guy?"
"Yes. Later, I will meet with him to talk about our divorce. Because of Nao exposing him, he will be summoned to that school today or tomorrow."
"I see. Can I come with you?"
"No, let me do this myself, Ruru. I will also update you on what will happen next. Can you believe in us?"
Shio slightly turned her head in my direction. Her voice carried her determination to end everything between her and that guy by herself.
I already meddled enough with her life. Perhaps, if I didn't get tangled with her, she wouldn't reach this point in her life.
In her mind, she's the one who let herself fall into his sweet words. She's the one who decided to enter into that marriage. That's why she also wanted to be the one to end it.
"Alright, I will believe in you. At times like these, if I don't believe in any of you then I will never be able to grow up. But Shio, I'm a worrywart. If I didn't hear from you, expect me to come running to find you."
"Un. To give you peace of mind, I will tell you later where we will meet."
Ending our conversation at that, I followed her to Class 2.
With the whole class' eyes focusing on me, I put her things on her table. Later I will be back to pick her up again to send her to the next class until the end of this day. That means we will always have a few minutes in every transition period today.
"Ah. The Flag of Class 1. Is he Ms. Miyazaki's assistant?"
I heard one of the girls near the front exclaim after recognizing me.
"Dunno. I heard from the boys that he was called Ms. Miyazaki's pet."
And another girl answered her.
Right. I was called Shiori's Pet by Orimura-sensei and all the boys in four classes heard it…
I'm already a notorious character in this school. If they can connect the ongoing rumors about me and the other girls… I might get a new title.
Haa… This unneeded attention. I guess I will have to lessen it slowly. But with all my encounters I doubt it will happen. But hey, it's not bad to hope for it, right?
Ignoring their gazes and remarks, I turned around as soon as I put her things on the table. However, before I could step out from the door, Shio's voice rang out.
"Don't forget to come back here after the 2nd period. You're my personal shuttle for the day. That's your punishment for being late."
"I understand, Ms. Kinoshita."
I stepped out as soon as I said that. And of course, as expected, the way I called her caused confusion for the whole class.
I know that Shio reminded me like that to provide context for Class 2. To stop them from speculating wildly.
In short, Shio's helping me to not increase my notoriety as a student who's standing out like a luminescent being who could gather attention anywhere I go.
And my reply was just to tease her once again. We'll have more time later so I will keep on doing that. To ease some kind of pressure building up on both of our minds for what will happen next.
- Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novèlfire.net
Time passed and when the lunch break arrived, I went with Nami and Hina to the cafeteria to join in with their circle of friends.
With the bitter Ogawa and Tadano around who clearly showed that they couldn't stand me being with them, the atmosphere was somewhat strained. Imada tried to break the ice more than once but ultimately failed.
Since I don't want to blow it up yet and I can clearly read the mood. I excused myself to them. Nami didn't stop me, she understood the situation. In fact, it was Hina and Arisa-senpai who wanted me to stay but it's impossible at the moment.
After leaving them, I went to meet Satsuki and Aya only to spend a few minutes with them as well. Still, those few minutes were completely savored by us.
I walked them back to our classroom before going up the stairs to go to the place where I first had my rendezvous with Kana.
Once I arrived, I sat down on top of the stair before taking out my phone to videocall Akane.
"Ruki! I miss you!" Akane exclaimed as soon as her face appeared on the screen.
As I expected, this is how she will act. With tears about to burst from her eyes, the silly girl is trying to invoke my sympathy. Around her, I could see the almost exhausted face of Fuyu, Eri and Futaba as the three sighed in sync.
"Onoda-kun. Please pick this girl up. She's a chore." Futaba said while she's trying to hold back Akane from kissing the screen.
"Forget picking her up, we'll send her to you in a package," Eri added while fixing a ribbon on top of Akane's head.
A package, eh? Somehow I want to open a box with Akane wrapped with only a red ribbon inside. Wait. That's wrong on some levels. This girl…
"You two, have some patience. She's ever since then. Are you still not used to it?" And lastly, Fuyu also interjected.
At least unlike the other two, she's like the straight-man in a comedy skit.
"Fuyu, you sighed, right?"
"Yes, she sighed. Don't act as if you hadn't given up."
Before Fuyu could throw a tsukkomi at the two, I responded to them. "Alright thank you for babysitting Akane for me. I know how hard it will be but please hang in there. After this ended, I will make it up to you in her place."
Upon hearing that, Eri showed her phone with the recorder app on the screen. "We recorded that, Onoda-kun."
"Un. Loud and clear." And Futaba seconded her.
Now, I think these two are just bored or just wanted to mess with me as well.
Back then they couldn't do that because no matter what Akane did, I would not have any reaction. I'm probably a super serious guy in their eyes. But that changed now that I finally responded to Akane's feelings.
"You recorded it?! Haa… Don't worry Onoda-kun. We're her friends. It's natural to take care of her." Fuyu sighed before delivering a flick on the two girls' ears.
"Hey! Why are you three talking to my Ruki?" Akane, who suddenly got overshadowed by the three, complained before taking the phone and running outside their classroom by herself.
From behind her, I could hear the three running after her.
"Silly girl. I will see you later. Behave there, alright?"
I couldn't say or do anything except this after all. I'll be relying on those three to calm her down. If that's not enough, I'll ask Yae or the other girls who are not completely afraid of her for help.
"Uhh… but I miss you."
"I miss you too. I'll pamper you later at home, alright? Go and eat your lunch."
After promising her like that, I ended the call. We will just be going in circles if I let her continue.
That girl. Was it this bad before? I couldn't remember. Because I treated that time as something trivial, I probably took that as a normal occurrence.
Haa… How many times have I already sighed today?
Ah. Nevermind. In the end, I will still pamper Akane later.
After that call, I took in a deep breath first before checking on my other girls while waiting for someone.
Calling Akane was not my only objective for coming up here after all.
Around 10 minutes later, the cute and shy Kana appeared from below the stairs with two pieces of melon bread in her hand.
Upon seeing me, her eyes sparkled as she happily ascended the steps and before stopping in front of me.
"Here, Ruki." She handed me one of the melon bread she's carrying before sitting next to me.
"Thank you, Kana." I took it before reaching in to kiss her which she gladly received.
I asked to see her because like the others, I wanted to talk to her about when will be the good time to have that talk with that Kenji. Apart from that, I also want her to see the plans I made with Akane for the upcoming Cultural Festival before presenting it to Ishida-senpai.
There's a lot on my plate this Monday. However, I will gladly finish them all, there's a lot of rest in between anyway. Besides, I can ask my Aya, Satsuki or Nami for another pampering if I want some comfort.